Wiesbaden High School: Warrior Battalion Reflects on Patriot Day

Army JROTC Cadets at Wiesbaden High School salute during a ceremony honoring the victims of Sept. 11. (Photo by Cadet Elizabeth Berg)

Written by Cadet Elizabeth Berg

On Sept. 11, the Wiesbaden Warrior Battalion, Wiesbaden, Germany, in conjunction with the Wiesbaden High School and Wiesbaden Middle School, honored the victims of Sept. 11, 2001 on the 24th anniversary of the attacks.  The event was attended by the entirety of the Wiesbaden Warrior Battalion, as well as many parents and students. The Battalion worked hard to properly honor the tragedy of that day.

On Sept. 11, 2001, 19 hijackers took control of four commercial airlines: two Boeing 757s and two Boeing 767s. At 8:46 a.m., flight 11 crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center between floors 93 and 97.  At first, this incident was assumed to be an accident. However, eighteen minutes later, at 9:03 a.m., Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. It was at this point that the country came to the realization that America was under attack. At 9:37 a.m., flight 77 crashed into the west wall of the Pentagon, resulting in the deaths of all sixty-four passengers aboard the aircraft and an additional one hundred and twenty-five government employees in the building. During the first three attacks alone, over 3,166 American citizens lost their lives, and thousands more were left with serious injuries. To this day, over 1,000 people remain unidentified or missing.

On flight 93, the final plane involved in the attacks, 43 passengers attempted to gain control of the aircraft.  However, fearing that their captives would gain the upper hand, the hijackers chose to force the aircraft into a fatal nosedive. At 10:03 a.m., the plane crashed into an empty field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, a mere 125 miles from Washington, D.C. It is believed that the intended target was either the Capitol Building or the White House. These aboard flight 93, consisting of everyday Americans, heroically averted additional deaths.

“The heroes of 9/11 are still an inspiration even 24 years after the event. Their bravery reminds us that even in the most desperate situations, there are still people willing to lose everything to save people’s lives,” said Natalie Bobo, a student at Wiesbaden High School.

The ceremony opened with the introduction of the color guard commanded by Cadet Elijah Torrez, with Cadet Adrian Woods, Cadet Kaeden Provost, Cadet Alexander Barbero, and Cadet Jakob Torrez, carrying the American and German flags as well as the Battalion flag. As the color guard marched to the front of the formation, the entire battalion was brought to attention. The American and German anthems were then performed with pride by the WHS band. Soon after, the Battalion Commander of the Warrior Battalion, Cadet Avah Wetherwax, introduced the speakers.

Speaking first was Wiesbaden High School’s principal, Lauren Tobias. Remarks from retired Lt. Col. Michael Rodriguez shortly followed her speech. The speakers spoke not only of the tragedy of the attack, but also of the patriotism and connection that brought America together during and after the attack.

“Doing this ceremony each year, within JROTC or not, I feel is vital to not just remembrance but respect. 9/11 was an event that not only brought out what our nation had been, but also a starting point in making it into what it could be. We lost many lives that day, civilians, first responders, volunteers, and those caught in the aftermath. In American books, 9/11 will always be remembered and never forgotten for the impact it had on all succeeding generations,” said Cadet Sophia Durant.